aRm Yourself for the Future – An Introduction to the R Statistical Computing Environment Webinar

August 19, 2010
12:00 - 1:30 EDT

Registration Closed.

Program Description

This session will provide a detailed introduction to the R statistical computing package. R is both an open source language and computing environment with very strong statistical and graphical capabilities. The R project benefits from the active participation of a rapidly expanding global network of users and academics, and is quickly gaining traction within the global actuarial community.

Starting with installation of the software and continuing with an introduction to the R programming language, the session will provide a strong foundation from which attendees will be able to explore R for themselves. The session will first introduce such basic mechanics of the R environment as loading and manipulating data, reading and writing script files, and data exploration. The session will also cover some of the more sophisticated capabilities of R, such as building and graphically analyzing generalized linear models. One or more property-casualty case studies involving real data will be included.

Note: It is not necessary to install or use R prior to or during the webinar.

Intended Audience

This webinar will be most suitable for those who have a keen interest in the R programming language but who have little or no experience with it. It is intended to be introductory in nature and will therefore contain some of the minutiae of using a command-line interface.

Speakers/Instructors

Kevin Burke is an Actuary at Alfa Mutual Insurance Company in Montgomery, Alabama. His primary responsibilities are personal property ratemaking, analyzing beach pool exposure, and special projects. Kevin is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He is also a Charted Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Reinsurance (ARe), and Associate in Underwriting (AU). In addition to his insurance designations, Kevin has a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Albany.

James Guszcza is the national predictive analytics leader in Deloitte Consulting’s Actuarial and Insurance Solutions practice, where he has built numerous predictive models for personal lines, commercial lines, life insurance, health care applications, and other industries. Prior to joining Deloitte, Jim worked for the Allstate Insurance Company. Jim is a frequent contributor to CAS seminars and publications and has co-taught the CAS Limited Attendance Seminar in Predictive Modeling. In 2008 Jim was awarded the Ronald Bornhuetter Loss Reserve Prize for best call paper. Jim is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He holds a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago.

Lee Bowron has been in the insurance industry for 20 years and has been a consultant for the past 9 years at Kerper and Bowron LLC. He is a member of the CAS Ratemaking Committee and co-chair of the R Working Party for the CAS. His practice focuses on extended warranty, personal and commercial lines, and environmental reserving as well as price optimization projects.

Registration Information and Fees:

Registration Closed.

REGISTRATION FEES (in U.S. Dollars)

Received byAugust 5

Received afterAugust 5

Individual Registration

$50

$75

Multiple Registrations * (3 or more person)Multiple registrations must be using the same computer and telephone connection.

$250

$300

*Multiple Registrations may provide a list of attendees to the CAS via email, meetings@casact.org, so CAS may note attendance for all participants in their CAS member record.

Cancelations/Refunds: Registrations fees will be refunded for cancellations received in writing at the CAS Office via fax, 703-276-3108, or email, refund@casact.org, by August 5, 2010 less a $50 processing fee.

CAS Continuing Education Policy:

The CAS Continuing Education Policy applies to all ACAS and FCAS members who provide Actuarial Services. Actuarial Services are defined in the CAS Code of Professional Conduct as “professional services provided to a Principal by an individual acting in the capacity of an actuary. Such services include the rendering of advice, recommendations, findings or opinions based upon actuarial considerations.” Members who are or could be subject to the continuing education requirements of a national actuarial organization can meet the requirements of the CAS Continuing Education Policy by satisfying the continuing education requirements established by a national actuarial organization recognized by the Policy. For further information is available on the CAS Continuing Education Policy page.

This activity may qualify for up to 15 CE Credits for CAS members. Participants should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. CAS members earn 1 CE Credit per 50 minutes of educational session time not to include breaks and/or lunch.

*The amount of CE credit that can be earned for participating in this activity must be assessed by the individual attendee. It also may be different for individuals who are subject to the requirements of organizations other than the Casualty Actuarial Society.